Fairness in taxes a decision for states to make

5:06 AM,
Apr. 28, 2013

U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander

Written by

U.S. Sens. Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker

This past week, the U.S. Senate debated the Marketplace Fairness Act, an 11-page bill about two words: states' rights.

The legislation - which would allow states to collect state sales taxes already owed on remote purchases from out-of-state businesses - is about letting states set their own tax policy without asking Washington's permission. That's the spirit of the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, and the spirit of this country.

The bill would allow Tennessee to reduce taxes or ward off budget pressure for a state income tax. ...